ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - NOVEMBER 26: Celtic Interim Manager Martin O'Neill during a Celtic MD-1 press conference at De Kuip Stadium, on November 26, 2025, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has revealed that he would have stayed on as Celtic manager until the end of the season- but wasn’t asked.
The Irishman is back on the media circuit, rejoining Jim White and Simon Jordan on TalkSPORT.
Since he left Celtic the hoops have lost three matches on the bounce with pressure mounting on Wilfried Nancy.
The defeats are only part of the picture. The performances have been poor with Nancy adding to the problems with his post match claims that things are moving in the right direction.
Celtic are currently beset by multiple problems with the Board attacking fans and treating shareholders with contempt.
On the evidence at Hampden it looks like the players have little or no faith in Nancy as he attempts to revolutionise their style of play.
Martin O’Neill has just told Talksport Live that he would have stayed on as Celtic Manager if the Board had asked him.
However, they never did…#CelticFC #martinoneill pic.twitter.com/u0lo3wRzw8
— Henry Joy (@DiscipleElland) December 15, 2025
This is infuriating. The club should hold their hands up, take immediate action to fire Wilfried Nancy, and bring Martin O’Neill (and Maloney and Fozzy etc.) back before Christmas. https://t.co/4DGqCgB4C7
— Edgar Blamm (@EdgarBlamm) December 15, 2025
O’Neill went on to play the party line of giving the new manager time but there is nothing to suggest that results are about to pick up under Nancy.
White returned to the subject soon after that answer. He asked O’Neill if he could be back at Celtic at some point this season. He answered negatively.
While this goes on Michael Nicholson sits in silence in his office, cut off from all reality.
Nancy was given a contract that runs until June2028 with three other coaches brought in from Columbus Crew.
Ahead of the match against Dundee United Nancy will host a media conference on Tuesday.
Since joining Celtic Nancy has had no visual backing from any Celtic directors. Nicholson and Peter Lawwell both bottled out of appearing at the Frenchman’s first media conference.
The appointment of Nancy was largely driven by the Head of Football Operations Paul Tisdale. The high point in Tisdale’s career pre-Celtic was managing Exeter City.
That’s a bombshell from MON!
Must admit, I though at his age he didn’t want to – or didn’t have the energy at 73 – to see out the season.
But, for the club to not even discuss that option with MON is simply negligent?
It just keeps getting worse at the club: the Board is in a tailspin…
The current Celtic FC board could not have had Martin O’Neill stay on as head coach for longer because that would have had a massive chance of success under his management and tutelage ? And the way I see it now as far as the ‘ greys ‘ of the boardroom are concerned, they are all sick and tired of success on and off the park ! What else could their professional behaviour be ? Since the Scottish Cup defeat to Aberdeen their attitude and outlook has been an absolute disgrace . Can you name me one other club in the football world whose administration gets fed up with constantly winning and rolling in financial riches beyond its dreams like our Celtic board ? It really is unforgivable!
Mr O’ Neill was bombarded with the ‘ staying on longer ‘questions from all kinds of scoops , desperate to see the back of him as they knew he is a winning and successful coach ! I can’t remember him ever saying yes to any of the questions . He always digressed his answers . Yet now he is categorically confirming he would have stayed on as boss ? It’s all part of the utter self inflicted omnishambles currently engulfing Celtic FC from every angle right now ! What a mess ….
He’s a decent man who wouldn’t for one minute answer a question like that while there is a search on for a new manager, he was asked to fill in, he did, it’s not for him to push for the job, he’s old school, he probably thinks if he’s good enough he’ll be asked, but unfortunately he’s dealing with a shower of bawbags in suits who can’t see the wood for the trees.
I can tell you one thing, and I’ve read plenty argue the opposite, but if MON had git the Hearts Roma and the final….it wouldn’t have been an 8-2 aggregate with 3 defeats, and I’m as sure as can be Saint Mirren wouldn’t have got that stroll to the cup, might not have been pretty, but it wuda been effective.
WN might indeed be a decent manager, but right now he’s the wrong guy in the wrong story, and I genuinely would let him go now as I don’t believe he has the presence or experience for this league in particular.
Well, just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse…. I like many others had formed the opinion that O’Neill saw the writing on the wall and couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Now we know different.
While there is an argument that it was better to have installed the new manager ASAP to get the squad assessed and strengthened in the coming window, that has blown up in their faces spectacularly and I’d be somewhat surprised if much money is spent next month given the chances are he won’t be here in the summer.
It’s fair to say the last fig leaf the board had to hide behind has just been ripped away. An already fairly mutinous atmosphere is likely to turn to open revolt soon.
Martin was bloody sensible to get outta Dodge – Not Pretty – City with his reputation in tact !
Does anyone have any idea what they think the crowd will be at the next home game,we are now shipping 3 goals a game,that can’t continue.
I was of the opinion the MON got out because he could see the writing on the wall and the limitations of the squad he was working with, most of whom should not be anywhere near Celtic Park. If these comments and those from Joe Hart, Stan Petrov and Johan Malby don’t shake this board out then all that’s left is tearing the place down, the guess is who is going to do it first, the board or the fans.
Editor: The board aren’t interested in any outside opinion. In their bubble they are doing just fine, massive profits, bank balance and Corporation Tax payments. On their terms they run the most successful and admired club in Europe.
The vocals at Tannadice on Wednesday will be very direct.
As long 60,000 keep showing up,the money continues to flow into the bank accounts of Delboy Trotter and Athur Daley Enterprises,then we can’t blame her board,it has to be the fans held responsible for this.
An empty stadium means an empty bank account,but if the fans are to stupid to realise this then they deserve to get a right good shafting.
They need to stay away from home games and away games totally starve them of any money,only then when they see the stadium empty then the board knows it can’t sustain that.
This would impact on them big time,because then any costs would be coming out of the bank accounts of boards profits pushing them nearer to having to put the club up for sale,and that magical bank balance starts to take a hit,the books no longer look good,and club would difficult to unload,they will bolt at that point,bit the fans need to do their part in this,and see out the boycotting when it kicks in.
True. Also, their Trading Model has been shot to pieces because of significant depreciation in Players’ sale value. Wages are very good at Celtic FC. We might see some Players doing
“A James McCarthy”.
Spot on madman,I’ve been saying that for months it’s the only way to break the stranglehold of this board,drain the the 77 million bank balance they might then take heed as to what the supporters are saying.